Appeal No. 2003-1856
Application No. 08/879,322
invention uses camera computer imaging without the need to remove
the starch and/or sugar matrix.
Independent claim 1 is representative of the invention and
is reproduced as follows:
1. Apparatus for the measurement of fruit particles in a
matrix without removing the fruit particles from this matrix,
comprising:
a substantially opaque cabinet;
a sample tray adapted to receive a fruit matrix of fruit
particles which are within a matrix selected from the group
consisting of a sugar matrix, a starch matrix or a sugar and
starch matrix, said fruit matrix being of the kind used in fruit
fillings, toppings, dairy products or cooked food products;
a camera in the upper portion of said cabinet for taking an
image of the fruit particles while they remain within the fruit
matrix;
a light source in said cabinet; and
a computer with image analyzing software which analyzes said
image of the fruit particles in order to measure the fruit
particles without having removed them from the fruit matrix.
The examiner relies on the following references:
Wilkinson et al. (Wilkinson) 4,844,937 Jul. 04, 1989
Sistler et al. (Sistler) 4,975,863 Dec. 04, 1990
Bolle et al. (Bolle) 5,546,475 Aug. 13, 1996
Queisser et al. (Queisser) 5,818,953 Oct. 06, 1998
(filed Apr. 17, 1996)
Heck et al. (Heck) 5,845,002 Dec. 01, 1998
(filed Nov. 03, 1994)
-2–
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